Belgium for Expats

21/07/2017

To all of you who are sprout to be Belgian or sprout to be living in Belgium, Happy National Day!! Today's a great day to celebrate the melting pot of cultures we live in -- although it's worth celebrating EVERY day :-)

On vous souhaite une fête nationale très Sprout !

15/03/2017

If you know anyone looking for a spacious one-bedroom apartment, this one's almost beside the Cinquantenaire Park and only blocks from Schuman. I don't usually post real estate info, but since I've been in this apartment, I know the info and photos are accurate.

Located on the 3rd floor of a building without elevator, this beautiful apartment renovated with taste offers a habitable surface of 80m ². It is composed as follows: Bright living room of +/- 30m ², open kitchen with breakfast nook, fully equipped, +/- 17m ². Night hall giving access to the office…

27/01/2017

Whether or not you're Dutch, you'll love this :-)

"Nobody builds oceans better than we do."

24/12/2016

Here's a concept that could work in Brussels. Maybe not just with Nonnas, but the variety of cultures here would make this a huge opportunity!
Happy holidays to you and yours, whatever your background, religion, or language.

23/12/2016

I just stocked up at my fabulous local 'fromagerie' yesterday. The lovely owner, Carla, runs L'Alpage on Square Plasky, within walking distance (or a few bus stops) from Schuman. Both the selection and the quality are absolutely fantastic. This is NOT supermarket cheese, yet many of the prices are comparable. I've just snacked on a goat cheese with a juicy fig filling -- delish! And for Christmas, I'm giving a neighbour a goat cheese filled with Belgian Cuberdon candy (raspberry) filling. It makes a wondrous combo of sweet and salty. So if you're entertaining -- even if it's just you! -- over the holidays, check out L'Alpage. Your guests, your taste buds and your stomach will thank you! :-)

Chers Clients..le comptoir fromages et raclettes est complet et en grande quantité...je vous attend.. 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄..joyeux Noël🎄🎄😀

21/11/2016

I'm sharing because I personally know Michael Chia and many of his students. If you're interested in photography, have a look at this.

Improve your camera skills before leaving for the winter holidays!

18/11/2016

Any Antwerp residents out there? This will make the political scene in the city of diamonds very interesting! Kris Peeters will certainly create alternative options for voters. I'll be watching with interest from down here in Brussels :-)

Federal work minister Kris Peeters is moving to Antwerp to take on Bart De Wever in the campaign to become the port city’s next mayor

15/11/2016

For the 'victims' of Brexit... keep an eye on this story!

The European Parliament is to consider a plan that would allow British citizens to opt-in and keep their European Union citizenship – and its associated benefits – once the UK leaves the EU. The proposal, which has been put before a parliamentary committee as an amendment, would grant the citizens o...

10/11/2016

Basically, M&S just admitted they suck at market research and strategic planning. Or did they just want to start a retail version of Brexit?

The British retailer Marks & Spencer has announced a major restructuring programme. Labelled the 'Dunkirk moment' by the BBC the chain intends to close 53 of its international stores including the one in Brussels.

10/11/2016

I think sculptures like this can help people and communities to heal. It's a bit unfortunate that there weren't a few political 'higher-ups' in attendance (I don't know if any were invited).

The mayor of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Françoise Schepmans, and the General Secretary of the Council for the Moroccan Community Anroad, Abdellah Boussouf,...

09/11/2016

Yes, he's a politician and expected to say something diplomatic, but we all need to be able to hold out hope and a willingness to find positive way of dealing the shocking state of affairs we woke up to today. Wouldn't it be wonderful to think that this may actually bring all the other world leaders closer together, and that perhaps grassroots organisations or individuals will rise to the challenge of unifying and opening the minds of the scared and fearful Americans who voted for DT?

The Prime Minister, Charles Michel, congratulated the Republican candidate, Donald Trump, on getting the White House. Trump is assured of becoming the...

04/11/2016

A detailed explanation of the Brexit court case

The UK government must consult MPs before triggering Article 50 to leave the EU, a court rules.

20/10/2016

If you work or live near Place Luxembourg, Together Magazine is holding a flash mob (3 times) today...

Comme see our flash mob today at 1.15, 5pm and 6.30pm Place Lux

19/10/2016

This makes for an interesting, and rather frightening, read.

Dictatorship experts see signs of Benito Mussolini or Hugo Chavez in the Republican candidate’s outlandish claims and allegations.

10/10/2016

For all the Canucks out there: Happy Thanksgiving!!

08/10/2016

In honour of Canadian Thanksgiving on Monday... :-)

Pumpkin season has officially begun! Skunk Bear teaches us some fun facts about America's favorite decorative gourd.

28/09/2016

It's going to be an unholy mess tomorrow, folks. All public transport will be on strike, including trains... Stay home if you can.

19/09/2016

Hi everyone, get ready for the Brussels Protest Season -- beginning tomorrow! There are expected to be anywhere between 2,000-10,000 people protesting for human rights and against TTIP (the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership). Participants will assemble on the corner of Arts-Loi and Rue de la Loi and march towards the Schuman roundabout, where the protest will end in front of the EU buildings.
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/what-is-ttip-and-six-reasons-why-the-answer-should-scare-you-9779688.html

01/09/2016

Rue Neuve and major stores in the centre of Brussels will be open this Sunday -- and every first Sunday of the month :-)

Marion Lemesre dément l’information selon laquelle les commerces de la rue Neuve n’ouvriront plus leurs portes le premier dimanche du mois. «L’organisation qui a divulguée cette information représente les intérêts d’une poignée de commerçants...

27/08/2016

Just reading this will make you thirsty! Why not head out and try a new beer during the heatwave?

To experience the variety and wealth of Belgian beer heritage, go to a specialist café and ask the café proprietor to advise you. Soak up the cheerful atmosphere of a café in Brussels and share the enjoyment of this sociable drink.

26/08/2016

My thoughts are with anyone who has been impacted by the earthquakes in Italy, particularly anyone who has lost a loved one. Let's hope the survivors won't have to live for long in tents.

A strong earthquake struck central Italy in the early hours of Wednesday, causing buildings to collapse "with reports of victims" and sending panicked residents fleeing into the streets of numerous towns and cities.

16/08/2016

Don't get distracted while playing Pokemon Go in Brussels!

Police are beginning to hand out fines to mobile phone users who present a danger to themselves or others on public thoroughfare. Specifically, the police are concerned about players of Pokémon Go who wander into the street without looking.The €55 fines are based on Article 7.2 of the highway code,…

09/08/2016

I haven't been eating a lot of red meat so haven't been to Jack O'Shea for quite a while. Did you know all 3 Brussels shops are closed? The Ste-Catherine shop will be re-opening under new ownership, thanks to a Flemish butcher.

Well-known butcher Hendrik Dierendonck of Koksijde will take over one of the Jack O’Shea shops in Brussels, which closed last month

03/08/2016

Some inspiration for the next time you have to run through the airport! Let the games begin!!

25/07/2016

Yayyyy, Yanina!!

Belgium's Yanina Wickmayer, who is only ranked 44th in the world by the women's tennis association, has won the Citi Open tennis tournament in Washington, DC. In the final she beat the USA's Lauren Davis in two sets 6-4, 6-2.

23/07/2016

There are still spots available for tomorrow's Wondrous Wander, friends! If you'd like to know what the Route to Compostela and a Wondrous Wander have in common, join me for 10 Secrets Even the Belgians Don't Know About Brussels! We meet at 2:00 at the Central Station. To get more info and to register, click here -- and I'll see you tomorrow!
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-10-secrets-even-the-belgians-dont-know-about-brussels-wander-tickets-26146712521?aff=ehomecard

23/07/2016

A few images from yesterday's National Day festivities...

21/07/2016

A few things you might see if you're out and about in today on !

21/07/2016

Happy Belgian National Day!! Here are some things for you to do today, in this gorgeous sunshine and with slightly less draining heat.

Police insist everyone should come and party and enjoy themselves on the 21 July national day celebrations in Brussels - just leave your backpacks at home.It's coming on for 30 years since King Baudouin asked the Syndicat d'Initiative Bruxelles Promotion 1886 (SIBP) to organise a new and different n...

20/07/2016

What are you doing on Sunday afternoon (besides melting in the Brussels heat)? Why not take a Wondrous Wander to learn 10 Secrets Even the Belgians Don't Know About Brussels?